As preparations are on to celebrate Poson Poya in Anuradhapura on a grand scale, the historical Thanthirimale Raja Maha Vihara in Maha Wilachchiya will once again come to light and welcome thousands of devotees. I never thought I would photograph in Thanthirimale. I imagined the inaccessible jungle leading to the sacred site of Thanthirimale looked like nearly 2,300 years ago where glory, peace and serenity prevailed.
For three decades, Thanthirimale being a border village lay in the Wilpattu National Park, often deserted.It was a safe haven for LTTEers who are believed to have come via Thanthirimale to attack the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura. Most villagers are farmers who left the area during that troubled period and have now returned and settled their ancestral lands.
Farmers are busy again and acres of lush paddy fields are a relaxing sight. I first visited the Thanthirimale sacred site in 2002 after the Ceasefire Agreement was signed between the UNP Government and the LTTE. Historicity The stone ruins on the rocky boulder Located 45 kms from Anuradhapura, the Thanthirimale temple was built in the 3rd Century BC.
It is historically important as it is known as the landing point for Sanghamitta Therani when she visited the country bringing the sacred Bo sapling. It was at Thanthirimale that she stayed overnight. On our recent visit, we saw that the landscape has changed and dusty gravel roads have been replaced with carpeted roads and the lifestyle of the vill.